Grand thoughts to boost Itasca

Itasca officials discussed how to build up the village Monday night.

While setting up a new Web site and changing the village's logo were discussed, most of the conversations touched on areas that could be future economic engines in Itasca.

Board and village staff members discussed development opportunities, goals and priorities along Thorndale, downtown and other pockets in Itasca.

Trustee Tom Reynolds said Itasca's Thorndale corridor could be the Rosemont of the Western suburbs in the future.

Village President Gigi Gruber said that ultimately, the decision's going to come from the board.

She also tossed up the idea of having hotels, corporate conference centers and restaurants along Thorndale.

"Until we make a decision to make things happen, I don't think anyone's just going to come in and do it," she said.

Trustee Ellen Leahy said she also prefers to have some sort of a long-term plan.

"I think that Elgin O'Hare could be a very, very large profit center for Itasca," Leahy said. "I like the idea of hotels, I like the conference centers ... I like that whole idea. I would like to pursue that rather than sitting and waiting for it to happen."

Gruber also said the downtown should bring in activity once the Riverwalk is completed, and after that, more businesses should naturally come to the village's downtown.

"I think we're putting our money where our mouth is," she said.

Itasca officials will continue to discuss possibilities for future economic development, and plan to begin talks about development with key players within the village.